FOXBOROUGH — Snap, crackle, and pop were back on the breakfast menu Saturday morning at Patriot Place as the team held its first full pads workout of the summer.

“Training camp started today,’’ defensive tackle Terrance “Pot Roast’’ Knighton declared after the sweaty session. “[Thursday and Friday] were preliminaries — all about seeing who came back in good condition and getting back into your playbook. Real football doesn’t start until you put the helmet on with the shoulder pads.’’

Though it’s only Day 1 of real contact, Knighton, a first-year Patriot but lifelong New Englander, said the difference is noticeable from the opening horn.

“Just something about putting on these pads and thudding up,’’ he said. “You know, coach gives us one period a day to go live and [we get to] see who really mans up and that’s what it’s about with the pads on — see who’s going to show up and see who’s the real men out here in 11 on 11s.’’

While the competition level and contact certainly ratcheted up a few notches, so too did the competitive spirits.

“You got the offense bickering back at us and we’re bickering back at them. They make plays and we make plays. All day it’s a competition,’’ said Knighton. “If everyone was out here quiet and going through the motions it would be boring.’’

Veteran safety Devin McCourty said the unpredictability of the offense is one reason he gets amped up for full pads.

“You see a run game finally — not just passing every play,’’ he said. “I just think it’s real football . . . We’re seeing guys’ mentalities, being able to play violently. That’s what football is all about.’’

O-line takes a hit

The offensive line took a hit Saturday when two projected starters didn’t finish practice.

Right guard Jonathan Cooper, the former first-rounder acquired in the Chandler Jones trade, went down with what appeared to be a right foot injury. The NFL Network reported Cooper suffered “no structural damage.’’

Center Bryan Stork was present for the start of the session but didn’t participate in team drills, 7-on-7s, or 11-on-11s, and was not spotted on the sideline. It is unknown when or why he slipped away from practice.

The absences gave more reps to some of the younger interior linemen, including rookies Joe Thuney and Ted Karras.

Asked to assess the play of the young guys, Knighton said, “They’re physical. That’s a good start.’’

Thuney impresses

With the pads on, the Patriots got a better look at Thuney, who got first-team reps at left guard.

The third-round pick also impressed in one-on-one drills, pushing through defenders and finishing plays with strength.

“The competition on the other side of the ball, they’re elite players just being Patriots defensive players, so it’s going to be a challenge each day but it’s certainly fun to try and grow and get better,’’ Thuney said.

Thuney is in the conversation at center along with David Andrews and Stork. Injuries and the Patriots’ patchwork strategy on the offensive line have given Thuney a large role in training camp, forcing him to master the playbook as quickly as possible.

“The spring helped a lot,’’ said Thuney. “We did baby steps then and now we’re just going back over everything, just trying to get the details down, just understanding the concepts of the offense. It’s been pretty good.’’

Pascoe fits right in

If it helps him spend more time in the tight end room that already includes Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett, Bear Pascoe certainly doesn’t mind being categorized as a blocking tight end.

“That’s how I’ve stayed in the league as long as I have and I’ll do whatever they ask me to do,’’ Pascoe said.

The Patriots brought Pascoe, a seven-year veteran, in to training camp on Wednesday. Pascoe had been waiting by the phone for an NFL opportunity after the Lions did not bring him back after signing him last December.

“You always have that little thought in the back of your head but you always try to stay positive and I’ve always tried to be on top of my game the best I can, be in shape,’’ Pascoe said.

Pascoe, who grew up roping cattle in Porterville, Calif., and still competes in rodeos as an accomplished team roper, stayed in shape by working on his wife’s family ranch.

“This offseason while everybody was doing OTAs and stuff I was home baling hay,’’ Pascoe said.

Pascoe, who grew up in the same area as fellow rancher and Fresno State alum Logan Mankins, said he reached out to the former Patriots guard and hoped to catch up with him on an off day, but said he wasn’t worried about fitting in with New England.

“It’s been great. I’ve been in a couple different tight end rooms and this is one of the best ones I’ve been a part of,’’ Pascoe said.

One thing that should make him seem like a local? Pascoe’s big, bay-quarter horse goes by the name of Wicked.

Two rookies absent

Rookies Malcolm Mitchell and Vincent Valentine were absent from practice. It was unknown why Mitchell wasn’t around but Valentine tweeted about the death of former Nebraska punter/teammate Sam Foltz, so it was likely he was attending the funeral in Lincoln, Neb. Foltz died in a car accident last week.

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride